Frequency of reproduction

Terms used to describe the frequency of reproduction.

Trait Definition
Semelparous or monotely Breeding once per lifetime, or breeding only once then dying (Barnes et al., 2001). Organisms that only have one brood during their lifetime (Lincoln et al., 1998).
Iteroparus or polytely 1) Breeding several times per lifetime. 2) Organisms that have repeated reproductive cycles (Lincoln et al., 1998).
Annual episodic Breeds every year but in one or more discrete periods initiated by some trigger (for example a lunar cycle).
Annual protracted Breeds every year over an extended or drawn out period.
<Biannual Breeds less frequently than every two years.
Biannual episodic Breeds every second year but in one or more discrete periods initiated by some trigger (for example a lunar cycle).
Biannual protracted Breeds once every two years over an extended or drawn out period.
Univoltine One generation per year, annuals (Barnes et al., 2001).
Multivoltine Many generations per year (Barnes et al., 2001).
Bivoltine Two generations per year (Barnes et al., 2001).
Semivoltine One generation every two years (Barnes et al., 2001).

References

  1. Barnes, R.S.K., Calow, P.P., Olive, P., Golding, D.W. & Spicer, J.I., 2001. The invertebrates: a synthesis. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
  2. Lincoln, R., Boxshall, G., & Clark, P., 1998. A Dictionary of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press